Friction reducing devices
AssigneeAdvanced Wound Systems, LLC
InventorsSamuel Scheinberg, Adrian A. Polliack, Joseph Tuholsky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A self-adhesive bandage for prevention and treatment of skin breakdown by relief of friction and shear forces. The bandage includes a pair of thin film membranes, one of which is a portion of a dome and is free to move a limited distance with respect to the other. The dome is located on a skin contact layer that can be adhered to one's skin. A method of making such a bandage includes forming a dome in a flexible film and adhesively attaching a skirt surrounding the dome to a skin contact layer. Similar friction reducing devices may be incorporated in shoes, other clothing, or sports equipment.
Claims44
A protective bandage, comprising:
- (a) a skin contact layer of flexible film having opposite first and second sides;
- (b) a collapsible hollow dome of flexible film attached to and extending over a portion of said first side of said skin contact layer, said hollow dome having a height at least partially defined by a side wall of flexible film, and a top portion, said skin contact layer extending beneath all of said dome and the top portion being freely movable along said first side of said skin contact layer through a distance related to said height;
- and
- (c) said second side being adhesively attachable to a surface intended to be protected.
A method of making a bandage, comprising:
- (a) shaping a flexible film to form a flexible dome including a flexible side wall and a top portion, leaving said dome surrounded by a generally planar skirt of said flexible film extending radially outward from said dome;
- and
- (b) thereafter attaching said skirt adhesively to a generally planar skin contact layer of a flexible film that extends at least beneath all of said dome, so that said dome is collapsible and said top portion is movable along said skin contact layer.
In combination with an article for use by a person, a friction reducing device, comprising:
- (a) a supporting layer of flexible material having opposite first and second sides;
- (b) a hollow dome of flexible material attached to and extending over a portion of said first side of said supporting layer, said hollow dome having a height and a top portion, the top portion being freely movable along said first side of said supporting layer through a distance related to said height;
- and
- (c) said second side being attached to a portion of said article of clothing so that said hollow dome is exposed toward a surface intended to be protected.
A removable accessory for an article of clothing, including a friction reducing device comprising:
- (a) a supporting layer of flexible material having opposite first and second sides;
- (b) a hollow dome of flexible material attached to and extending over a portion of said first side of said supporting layer, said hollow dome having a height and a top portion, the top portion being freely movable along said first side of said supporting layer through a distance related to said height;
- and
- (c) said second side being attached to a portion of said removable accessory so that said hollow dome is exposed to a surface intended to be protected when said accessory is in use.
A method of making a bandage, comprising:
- (a) shaping a flexible film to form a flexible dome including a flexible side wall and a top portion, leaving said dome surrounded by a generally planar skirt of said flexible film extending radially outward from said dome;
- and
- (b) thereafter attaching said skirt adhesively to a skin contact layer of a flexible film extending at least beneath all of said dome, leaving said side wall between said skin contact layer and said top portion of said dome free to flex, thereby leaving said dome collapsible and said top portion movable along said skin contact layer to an extent limited by said side wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.